JERUSALEM

Israel recalled its negotiating team from the Qatari capital, Doha, on Thursday for consultations following Hamas’ response to the latest ceasefire and hostage deal proposal.

“In light of the response conveyed by Hamas this morning, it has been decided to return the negotiating team for additional consultations in Israel,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement.

“We appreciate the efforts by the mediators, Qatar and Egypt, and the efforts of (US Mideast) envoy Steve Witkoff, to achieve a breakthrough in the negotiations,” it added.

An Israeli official, speaking to Israel’s public broadcaster KAN on condition of anonymity, said the decision to recall the delegation does not indicate a collapse of talks.

“This is a coordinated step among all parties. Decisive choices must be made, which is why the team returned. The momentum remains positive,” the official said.

Earlier Thursday, Hamas said that it had delivered its response -- along with that of other Palestinian factions -- to the mediators. Netanyahu’s office confirmed receipt of the response and said it is under review. Neither side disclosed the contents.

However, Channel 12 reported that Hamas requested the release of 200 Palestinians serving life sentences for killing Israelis in exchange for 10 living hostages, in addition to 2,000 Palestinians detained by Israeli forces in Gaza since October 7, 2023.

The original proposal, which Israel reportedly accepted, included the release of 125 prisoners serving life terms and 1,200 others arrested in Gaza since the war began.

The daily Israel Hayom, citing unnamed security officials, said that the Israeli military is preparing to expand its ground operations in Gaza following Hamas’ response.

Separately, a well-informed source told the same outlet that the return of the Israeli negotiating team from Doha should not be seen as a positive development.

“On the contrary,” the source said, claiming that Hamas is “placing obstacles” in the way of a potential deal.

Tel Aviv estimates that there are 50 hostages, 20 of whom are held captive in Gaza. More than 10,800 Palestinians are held in Israeli prisons, subjected to torture, starvation, and medical neglect, which has resulted in many deaths, according to Palestinian and Israeli human rights and media reports.

Since July 6, indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas have been taking place in Doha, mediated by Qatar and Egypt with US support, in pursuit of a ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal.

Israel has killed more than 59,500 Palestinians, most of them women and children, in the Gaza Strip since October 2023. The military campaign has devastated the enclave, collapsed the health system, and led to severe food shortages.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.